Julie Green is a twenty something self-confessed creative type, with her work involving photography, writing and art. Growing up near the Blue Mountains in Sydney Australia has definitely influenced her style of photography, which is mostly landscapes and beautiful moments in time between animals and their environment. Using mostly pencil and graphite in her drawings, her life-like portraits are definitely ones to be amazed at. Below we have a chat with Julie about what inspired her to take up photography and what she hopes to do in the future.
Hi Julie, how are you?
Hi there!Β I’mΒ really well, busy and enjoying myself. Itβs a beautiful day here. How are you?
EM: We’re good thank you!
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I am a twenty-something pocket-rocket and a recent uni graduate living in Australia. I grew up in quite a leafy-suburb on the outskirts of Sydney, the same place I live now.
Do you think living where you are has influenced your photographic style in any way?
Absolutely!Β When picturing my photographic style, think nature. When I look out my window, I see the trees hanging over the balcony, valleys below me and the Blue Mountains on the horizon. Iβm visited by Rainbow Lorikeets next to my window most days (theyβre here now actually). I used to bushwalk with my family when I was little and now Iβm in my happy place every time I go hiking. If you havenβt guessed, Iβm a big fan of Mother Earth and I love capturing natural events and candid images of people in their βnatural state.β The editing I do to my pics is also very minimal.
How did you begin to fall in love with photography and art?
I’veΒ always had the creative bone; itβs in my genes. There are plenty of people in my family who can draw, paint or play guitar, and my mumβs uncle was a professional artist. I used to love painting and drawing as a kid and itΒ wasn’tΒ until more recently that my passion for photography was reallyΒ born. My dad bought a decent SLR and I fell in love with it. I basically claimed it as my own.Β I’mΒ in my element whenΒ I’mΒ behind the camera or drawing aΒ picture.Β I’veΒ only been trained in visual arts through school and most of my work is βself-taught,β although itβs been recommended to me to do a photography course, just to get greater technical awareness I βsuppose.
What type of camera do you use?
Donβt judge (laughs), but my equipment is still on the βamateurβ side of things. I use both an Olympus E-620 and a Canon 60D (none of which Iβve had to purchase, lucky me!).Β I’veΒ got my eyes on some upgrades though, at least some good-looking macro and portrait lenses.
What medium do you use for your drawings?
Mostly pencil and graphite. A lot of people comment on how nicely Iβve used charcoal in my drawings, when in fact I hardly use it!
Whatβs one or two of your favourite images youβve created?
Many of my photographs look better to me at the time that I take them, but soon enough my new works take the place as my favourites. That’s only natural. One of my recent favourites is of a group of lorikeets perched together on a tree trunk and the morning light was perfect. It’s great when that happens. I also like when my experiments turn out, like a recent long-exposure I took during a stormy evening in East Queensland.
What do you enjoy most about photographing landscapes and wildlife?
Another tough question! Thereβs just so much that I enjoy about it. This is going to sound terribly vague, but I love the beauty of landscapes and wildlife. Theyβre so other to humans, if you get me; in many ways theyβre not like us. I also enjoy the transience. Itβs such a challenge to capture the essence of that but I enjoy it. Due to my interest in art, I also love the βartβ in nature.
What do you look for when you look into a lens?
As I mentioned in my previous answer, I love the art in nature and I try to keep the rules of compositionΒ (e.g. the rule of thirds) in my mind whenΒ I’mΒ taking a photograph. I try to find an βartworkβ every time I look through the viewfinder.Β I watch the way light falls on a subject and I like to capture vibrant colours, interesting shapes and movements (although theyβre harder to catch). The beauty of photography is capturing the transience of our lives.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I was trying to explain to my friend the other day that I donβt think I have βspare time,β because I try to use every moment for things that I love or that Iβm passionate about because theyβre necessary for my wellbeing and (hopefully) even the wellbeing of others. These things includeΒ bush walking, socialising, weight-training, watching films, writing for Oxfamβs GROW campaign (to change the broken food system), and keeping creative projects, including my writing and photography at www.juliegreenart.com. There are some activities that Iβd love to do more often, like camping, travel and non-profit/charity work. Iβm also trying to read more.
What has been one of the best experiences youβve had whilst out photographing?
I’mΒ going to sound like a hobby-photographer when I say this, but many of my better photographs have been on holidays or out bushwalking, when I can relax and enjoy the moment fully.
However, Iβve learnt to conquer some huge fears and break down barriers in my mind when Iβve been out hiking and simply experiencing nature (while taking photographs), and these experiences certainly contribute to who I am. I donβt have a great anecdote to share with you, unfortunately, I just enjoy the peace I feel when Iβm photographing the things that I do, and I love those moments when I capture a bee mid-flight or a lorikeet flaps its wings for the camera. Itβs the simple things!
What are 5 things you wish you had been told before beginning photography?
- Be daring
- Get Photoshop
- Donβt touch auto!
- Learn manual straight away and be patient with it
- Donβt compare yourself to other photographers, but do be inspired by them
In five words or less, summarise what your entire collection of work is about…
Keeping nature in our sights.
Julie’s social media and website links are below: Thanks for the interview Julie!